Top 6 Reasons to Install Solar Panels in Your Home

In 2008, solar installations in the U.S. produced a total of 1.2 gigawatts. A decade later, we're talking about 30GW, enough to power just over 5 million households in the country. Clearly, the number of people embracing solar energy is increasing by the day. By 2022, solar is forecast to make up 5 percent of total electricity generation in the U.S. If you're among the people debating whether or not to go solar, we're here to settle your doubts. Here in this article, we're revealing a couple of reasons to make the switch to solar power. Let's shine some light, shall we?

1. Cut Your Energy Bills

Is saving money on bills one of your most elusive resolutions? Well, you now have an ideal strategy that can help you lower your energy bills. All you have to do is go solar! Let's start here. Every month, Americans spend at least $112 on electricity. Spread this across an entire year, and you're looking at least $1,344. Over a decade you would have spent well over $10,000 on electricity. On the other side, apart from the installation and periodic maintenance costs of solar panels, you'll have no energy bills to worry about. What's more, the cost of solar installation keeps going down, and today you can power up your home with as little as $10,000. It all depends on the amount of solar your local area receives, as well as your energy consumption needs. But in the long run, the pay off will be worth it. Even if you opt to connect your home to a utility solar power grid (requires fewer in-home equipment installations), you'll still have lower energy bills (about $70 for the average consumer).

2. Consistent Energy Bills

Let's say you choose to go on-grid. You'll still be receiving energy bills, because a utility company will be supplying your solar power. Consequently, you'll also receive monthly bills.

However, you certainly won't be frowning the same way you do when you receive other energy bills. Besides expecting a lower amount every month, you can also expect a consistent amount. No more drastic shifts that make you question the sincerity of your power your supplier! With a consistent energy bill, it's easier to draw and stick to a domestic budget.

3. Earn Tax Credits

Still on money, how often do you find yourself researching the personal tax credits you're entitled to, especially when tax season hits? Tax credits are a means to save money. They reduce the amount of tax you owe. The good news is when you go solar, you earn yourself a tax credit. You can deduct up to 26 percent of the cost of the installation from your federal taxes. The Solar Investment Tax Credit is designed to motivate both individuals and businesses to embrace renewable sources of energy. In addition to the federal tax credit, states also offer various credits, rebates, and savings.

4. Play a Big Role in Protecting the Environment

Are you among the 58 percent of Americans who believe climate change is caused by human activities? If you're, switching to solar power will help you play a role in saving the planet. But how exactly will solar power adoption help save the planet? For starters, buildings account for about 39 percent of all carbon emissions. When you go solar, your property's carbon emissions will reduce drastically, since solar is a clean, recyclable source of energy. Also, you'll no longer be relying on power from plants that use non-renewable sources of electricity (fossil fuels and crude oil-based petroleum).

Picture this: the more solar-powered homes and businesses we have, the fewer the customers these power plants will have, right? So, if tens of millions of homes are connected solar power, the demand for non-renewable energy will decline, meaning these plants will gradually have to produce less power. The net effect? Reduced power plant emissions!

5. Increased Property Value

Even if you don't plan to sell your property, it's in your best interest to ensure its value keeps increasing. Who knows, perhaps you'll want to cash in on a home equity loan during your retirement years! Anyway, there are a couple of things you can do to increase your property's value. Even though the value-adding powers of kitchen and bathroom remodels are well-documented, newer measures, like smart and green technologies, are taking over. The modern, environmental-conscious buyer wants a "green" property. In fact, 72 percent of millennials - the largest generation in the States - consider the sustainability of a product/property when shopping! Making your property solar powered is a sure way to increase its value and make it a hot property when you decide to sell.

6. Easy to Get Your Home Powered

Some of the top reasons that hold back potential solar consumers from going solar include having an existing connection to another power source, and the thought that solar installation takes time.

If you think that it will take several days for you to go solar fully, we're here to tell you that's not correct. As long as you have the funds ready, installing the entire system will take one to two days! In fact, the only thing you need to do is to find a reputable solar installation company to address your concerns and do the job right.

Go Solar and Live the Future, Now!

Inevitably, the world will run out of coal and other sources of non-renewable energy. When this time comes - and it's sooner than you think - you will have no choice but to go solar or adopt other forms of renewable energy. Why not make the leap today as start reaping the benefits as soon as tomorrow? If you live in Kansas City and are ready to make the switch, come to us at Shine Solar and we'll connect your home to the power source of the future.